Remote Indonesia & Papua New Guinea

Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city and a major seaport, serves as a central hub for the country's sugar and timber industries. A row of royal palm trees extends from the main street to the harbor and into the city center. Originally developed around the Fijian village of Namoli, Lautoka today has a predominantly Indo-Fijian population.

Fiji’s islands are commonly grouped into regions based on both geographic separation and cultural similarities. Located on Fiji’s western edge, the Yasawa Islands are known for opportunities to explore both terrestrial and marine environments. This island group remained closed to tourism until 1987, due to restrictions imposed by the local chief. The Sawa-I-Lau Caves are a notable feature in the Yasawas. These limestone caves include a second chamber accessible only through a submerged entrance. The caves are associated with local mythology and gained international attention after appearing in the film Blue Lagoon. The nearby village of Nabukeru is situated along the coast in a remote area. Residents have been affected by climate change, with rising sea levels and increasingly intense tropical cyclones causing periodic flooding and overtopping of sea walls.

Included Expedition:
Yasawa Island
This excursion includes a guided visit to the Sawa-I-Lau Caves, accompanied by local guides. The caves are located within a small limestone island and are shaped by natural wave erosion. According to local tradition, the site is considered sacred and is associated with the legend of Ulutini, a Fijian deity. The first chamber features an opening in the ceiling that allows light to filter in. An optional swim through an underwater passage leads to a second, enclosed chamber.
The expedition also includes a visit to the village of Tamusua, whose residents are the traditional custodians of the caves. Participants have the opportunity to meet village members and learn about local customs. Recommended items to bring include an underwater camera, reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear, and reef shoes.

Relax and spend the day at sea.

The volcanic island of Ambrym, one of Vanuatu’s outer islands, is spectacular. With the twin volcanoes of Benbow and Marum rising steeply from the azure waters, and a 12 km caldera to explore, the eruption in year AD50 that formed this caldera was one of the biggest in recent geological history. The black volcanic soils on this island make for a wonderful backdrop on which to view the Rom dances. Ambrym is considered to be the country’s center of sorcery, as active volcanoes mean stronger magic. A ceremonial ritual, the Rom dance is a sacred masked dance with origins that go back centuries. Involving only men, the dance delves into the age-old struggle between good and evil and is also believed to play a big role in influencing harvests. Full of secrecy and symbolism, the ability to witness such a dance is a special and profound experience.

INCLUDED EXPEDITION:
Visit ashore to see a performance of the incredible Rom Dance.

As might be guessed, Pentecost Island was named by a European explorer who sighted it on the day of Pentecost, 22 May 1768. That explorer was the Frenchman Louis Antoine de Bougainville. A lush, mountainous island without any real towns, islanders are subsistence farmers and fishermen. The island is most famous for an activity that inspired bungee jumping. Originally a ritual called nanggol, or land-diving, men would construct tall towers, tie vines to their feet and jump off them. The purpose of the ritual was a fertility manhood ritual, and also to ensure a good harvest of yams. The vines tied to the ankles of the men were springy, and the lengths calculated just right so the men would brush the ground lightly and therefore survive the fall. Witnessing this ritual and filmed by the BBC in the 1950s, is believed to have led to the modern sport of bungee jumping.
 
INCLUDED EXPEDITION:
Visit ashore to see the seasonal ritual of Land Diving

Espiritu Santo Island is the largest in Vanuatu and the seat of the provincial capital, in Luganville. The island's unusual name (for Vanuatu) dates back to a Spanish exploration of the region in the 17th century. The name given by the leader of the expedition, Portuguese Navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós was Terra Austrialia del Espiritu Santo. The name "Austrialia" was said to be a reference to the Hapsburg rulers of Spain (in Austria) and the yet-undiscovered southern continent referred to as Terra Australis.​
​During WWII, Luganville was the site of an Allied military installment. At the end of the war, instead of returning most of the supplies and equipment back to their origins, it was sent off into the ocean and left behind. This has contributed significantly to dive and snorkel tourism in the region, including an area called "Million Dollar Point", for the amount money said to be scuttled there in wrecks under the sea.
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Espiritu Santo is a lush, tropical island with a volcanic origin. It has thick forests and several freshwater rivers, making it an extremely pleasant place to visit.
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INCLUDED AND OPTIONAL SHORE EXCURSIONS ARE AVAILABLE

Relax and spend the day at sea.

Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Alotau is the capital of the Milne Bay province of Papua New Guinea, located on a peninsula in Milne Bay in the Coral Sea. The town and water comprise the site of the 1942 battle of Milne Bay, in which the invading Japanese army suffered its first decisive defeat in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the hands of Allied, mostly Australian forces. A War Memorial commemorates the battle. Today the area is largely given over the palm oil plantations. The local people keep their Tawala cultural traditions alive, with the exception of the long-past ritual cannibalism. In Bibiko Village, they are pleased to show them off in displays of prowess with Kundu drum ceremonies and exhibitions of their impressive war canoes. At the Ahioma village of Dodobana, the many specialized skills of daily Melanesian life are demonstrated in a family-style setting, such as basket weaving, grass skirt making and gardening.

Don’t let the name scare you. This idyllic archipelago of 21 coral atolls off the coast of New Guinea was named after the British ship HMS Conflict by its discoverer, a most patriotic captain. You could hardly ask for a more conflict-free paradise. The island group is privately owned by a passionate conservationist, who insists on sustainable methods for any activity within his tropical domain. Activities are therefore tailored for enjoying the exceptionally beautiful beaches, the supremely biodiverse coral reefs and the clear, warm waters. Kayaking, snorkeling and paddle-boarding are the more strenuous varieties. Simply relaxing mindfully on the sugary fringes of the lagoon are also acceptable. The area is under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

Relax and spend the days at sea.

Agats is the administrative center of the Asmat Regency in Papua Province, Indonesia. Located in a low-lying coastal region along the Arafura Sea, Agats is built entirely on a network of wooden boardwalks and stilts to accommodate the swampy, flood-prone terrain. The town has limited road infrastructure, and daily life depends heavily on boat and foot transportation. Agats is known as the cultural heart of the Asmat people, who are recognized for their woodcarving traditions and ceremonial practices. The Asmat Museum of Culture and Progress houses a collection of ancestral sculptures, spirit masks, and other ethnographic materials that document Asmat cultural heritage. Nearby villages, accessible by small boat, provide insight into daily subsistence practices such as fishing, sago processing, and carving. Community members may demonstrate carving techniques, drumming, and ritual dances that reflect long-standing customs. While traditional headhunting and ceremonial warfare are no longer practiced, they remain important elements in oral histories and symbolic art.

Relax and spend the day at sea.

Capital of the Northern Territory (NT), with an estimated population of 150,000, Darwin is home to most of the Northern Territory population. The Darwin region, like much of the Top End, experiences a tropical climate with a wet and dry season and boasts a vibrant multicultural community, where Indigenous heritage blends seamlessly with the influence of diverse international populations.  Darwin's rich history provides an incredible background for the diverse cultural and historical activities. On the 9th September 1839, HMS Beagle sailed into Darwin harbor during its survey of the area. John Clements Wickham named the region “Port Darwin” in honor of their former shipmate Charles Darwin. The city has been rebuilt almost entirely four times, following cyclones and Japanese air raids in World War II.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.